Building construction



Sept. 5, 1933. J. w. SWANK BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1932 '3Sheets-Sheet l *Mdl,

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Sept. 5, 1933. J w sw BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1933. J. w, SWANK 7 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1932 Patented Sept. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES1,925,418 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION James W. Swank, Chicago, Ill., assignorof onehalf to Raymond M. Calkins, Deerfield, Ill.

Application September 2, 1932. Serial No. 631,471

20 Claims.

My invention relates to building construction and particularly to a formof panel of sheet metal or other suitable material for use as asubstitute for lumber. The invention may be considered as an improvementupon, or a modification of, the construction disclosed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 607,769, filed April 27, 1932.

It is of one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved formof construction comprising sheet material adapted to form the body of awall and structural parts formed integrally with the body adapted totake the place of the r frame work ordinarily required for supporting awall. It'is one of my objects to provide a construction of this type inwhich the sheet metal comprising the structural parts is so located andarranged as to have a maximum strength and reenforcing effect.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved form ofpanel construction and releasable securing means therefor in which thepanels are secured to each other by means of an inside box-likearrangement of flanges on the edge of one panel fitting into an outsideboxlike arrangement of flanges on the edge of the adjacent panel, springclip members being provided for holding the box-like structures stronglyin engagement with each other in such manner as to hold the panelsfirmly in position so as to be immovable with respect to each othereither angularly or otherwise.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an arrangement ofthis type comprising a set of panels each alternate one of which isprovided with inside boxes along its edges and each other alternatepanel of which is provided with outside boxes along its edges, theinside boxes being disposed toward each other opposite the body of thepanel upon which they are mounted while the outside boxes are disposedaway from each other beyond the side edges of the body portion. By thisarrangement, each alternate panel is adapted to be moved straightforward out of engagement with the adjacent panels when the securingclips are removed, and each other alternate panel is adapted to be movedstraight backwardly out of engagement. In this way any desired panel canbe very readily removed from a series of panels without in any waydisturbing any other panel and without any twisting or tuming movementof the panel being removed.

It is one of the objects of my invention to pro vide a new and improvedform of panel and asmoved to accommodate frequent changes of thedisplay.

It is one of the objects'of my invention to provide an improvedarrangement of top and. bottom frame bars in which the panels areadapted to be mounted for bracing them strongly in position, suchbracing means being arranged for facilitating easy assembly of thepanels and easy removal of the panels when desired. It is another objectof my invention to provide an improved frame for the reception of thepanels making up a bill board together with an improved arrangement ofmeans for supporting the, frame in position.

It is one of the objects of my invention to providean improvedarrangement of parts by which a building can be constructed from panelsof this type, being used preferably for the side walls, the floors, theceilings, the roof, and the trim, the panels being used either alone orin connection with a suitable filling and reenforcing material such asconcrete or the like.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved form ofpanel adapted for use in connection with partitions and adapted for useunder certain circumstances in connection with the outside walls of ahouse, comprising a piece of expanded metal having my improved flangeconnecting means along its side edges, constituting an improvedcombination metal lath and structural supporting parts.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improvedconstruction for use in connection with forms for concreting a steelframe work of a building under construction or for forms for concretingat any other desired point. To this end, it is one of the objects of myinvention to provide an improved arrangement of parts by which a builtup panel construction of any desired width can be quickly and easilyprovided for forming the sides and bottom of a form of the requireddimensions for concreting a horizontal beam.

It is another object of my invention to improve arrangements of thistype in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means bywhich I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in thedrawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which Ibelieve to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth inthe claims.

In the drawings,--- 1 Fig. 1 is a front face view of a bill board em=bodying my improved constructon;

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical cross sectional views taken on an enlargedscale'at line 2--2 and line 3-3 respectively of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are horizontal cross sectional views taken on anenlarged scale at line 4-4, line 5--5, and line 6-6, respectively ofFig. l;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on an enlarged scale atline 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of my improved spring clip member by whichthe panels of the Fig. 1 construction are secured together;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross sectional view showing a part of a buildingstructure comprising the foundation, the floor, and the side walls, allof such parts being broken away;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view through the upper portion ofthe wall shown in Fig. 9 and showing a portion of the ceiling and roofin position thereon;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken at any one of the three lines 11-1l ofFigs. 9 and 16;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken at lines 12-12 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the use of my improved panelformation in a metal lath arrangement, in which the body portion of eachpanel is in the form of expanded sheet metal, the panels at the left inthe figure being provided with layers of plaster on opposite faces ofthe lath;

Fig. 14'is across sectional view of a fragmentary portion of a wallhaving a partition connected thereto comprising my improved metal lathpanel formation; I

Fig. 15 is a front face view of a fragmentary portion of one of thepanels shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view showing the preferred arrangementof panels involving my invention as used for the facings for concretinga column; 1

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view similar to the lower right hand corner ofthe part shown in Fig. 16 but showing a slightly modified construction;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but showing a second modification;and

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross sectional view showing the use of myimproved panels in connection with the form for concreting a horizontalbeam.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 8, in which corresponding partsare indicated by the same reference characters, 25 and 26 indicate theend frame bars, and 2'7 and 28 indicate the top and bottom frame membersof a bill board as shown in Fig. 1. As is best shown in Fig. 4, each ofthe end frame bars is in the form of a strip of sheet metal bent alonglongitudinal lines to provide flanges arranged in'box formation at eachside edge of the bar. As is shown in said, Fig. 4, the box 29 at oneedge of the end bar embraces one of the flanges of a supporji hg post 30of channel formation so as to beheld against movement with respect tosaid supporting post except as the end bar maybe slid longitudinallyalong the post. The box arrangement of flanges at the inner edge of eachof the end bars has releasable engagement with the adjacent edges of theadjacent intermediate panels 31 as hereinafter described. The lowerframe bar 28 is also formed of sheet metal as is clearly shown in Fig.-3, the bar being bent along longitudinal lines into the form of anelongated box, the flange portions provided by the bending providing achannel 32 along the upper edge of the bar., The bar 28 means is securedin position between the end posts 36 by means of bolts 33 extendingthrough the posts and through filler plates 34 secured in position inthe ends of the bar, in the construction shown the plates being securedin position by welding. As is best shown in Fig. 7, the lower framebar28 is supported at one or more intermediate points by intermediateposts 35 preferably in the form of li-beams, such beams 35 being securedto the bar by means of bolts 36 engaging an upwardly extending flange 37on the bar and bolts 38 engaging metal angles 39 weldedto the bottomface of the channel 32. The horizontally disposed flange 40 forming thebottom face of the bar 28 is provided with one or more drainage openings41 therethrough, as is clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the upper frame bar 27 is similar to theframe bar 28, except that a channel 42 is provided thereon ofconsiderably greater depth than that of the channel 32.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the bar 27 is normally used in invertedposition as compared with the bar 28. The bar 27 is secured in positionbetween the posts 30 by means of filler plates 43 welded in position andsecured to the posts by means of bolts 44. The bar 2'7 is secured to theintermediate posts 35 by means of bolts 36 and 38 and angles 39 in thesame manner as is illustrated in Fig. 7 in connection with the bar 28.

The end portions of the end bars 25 and 26 are coped to fit between theupper and the lower frame bars 27 and 28 and are held in positionagainst vertical movement by their engagement with the longitudinallyextending bars. Each of the end bars is provided at each end with avertically extending lug 45 extending into the adjacent ,channel 32 or42 for holding the bars rigidly in position with respect to each other.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, each of the panels 31 is formed ofsheet metal bent along longitudinal lines for providing flanges in boxformation along each side edge of the body portion of the panel. shownin Fig. 5, the body portion is indicated by the numeral 46. Four flangesare provided along each side edge of the body portion 16 providing aninside box arrangement 47, such inside boxes being disposed opposite thebody portion 46. In the arrangement of panel shown in full in Fig. 6,the body portion 48 is provided with three flanges along each side edgeproviding an outside box arrangement 49 along each edge. Throughout thesign as shown in Fig. l, the panels having body portions 46 and d8 arealternated with each other, each alternate panel having inside boxes onboth sides extending toward each other and each other alternate panelhaving outside boxes 49 extending outwardly away from each other. Eachof the inside box arrangements a7 is located within the outside boxarrangement 419 of' the adjacent panel, the arrangement being such thatthe inside boxes have an easy working fit within the outside boxes. Thepanels are held rigidly and securely in position with respect to eachother by means of spring clips 50 also made of sheet metal and bentalong longitudinal lines for providing a box-like arrangement adapted tofit about the boxes i'l and i9 for holding such boxes in rigidengagement with each other. In the arrangement shown the clips 50 aremade of spring steel sheet material so as to enable an operator to pressthe clipinto position about the interfitting boxes 47 and 49, the clipsbeing adapted when pressed into position to snap into In the form ofconstruction 1 engagement so as to be held by a strong spring grip inposition upon the boxes. As is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, each ofthe clips 50 engages snugly the three flanges of each of the outsideboxes and the final flange of the inside box in each instance, beingadapted to hold the parts in such manner as to prevent movement of thebody portion of one panel with respect to the body portion of theadjacent panel. The clips 50 are preferably of such formation as to becapable of being pressed into snap engagement with the boxes by theapplication of a fairly heavy pressure thereon.

It will be understood that a plurality of the clips will usually beemployed in connection with each box, the number used depending largelyon the length of the panels or boxes. The clips may be spaced asdesired. In a sign construction as shown in Fig. 1, I have obtained goodresults by spacing the clips three feet apart.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 4, the end panels 31 are of the type havingoutside boxes 49 thereon such outside boxes 49 being adapted to engageinside boxes 51 on the inner edges of the end frame bars 26. Clips 50 ofthe type'above described serve to hold the boxes 49 and 51 in engagementwith each other.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and '7, each of the panels 31 rests atits lower end within the channel 32, the upper end of each of the panelsbeing located within the channel 42. By reason of the greater depth ofthe channel 42 than that of the bottom channel 32, a panel can beinserted at its upper end within the inverted channel 42 and raised tosuch position therein that its lower end stands clear of the channel 32whereupon the lower end can be moved slightly into position above thelower channel ready to be lowered into operative position as shown inFigs. 2 and 3.

When the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 1, with all of thepanels securely held in position by means of clips 50, whenever it isdesired to remove one or more of the panels, this can be accomplishedvery readily. The clips 50 are first removed, and the panelis raised outof engagement with the bottom channel 32, whereupon the channel can bemoved directly forward out of engagement with the outside boxes of theadjacent panels or directly backward out of engagement with the insideboxes of the adjacent panels. The panel can then as readily be replaced,or a substitute panel of similar formation can be substituted, allwithout disturbing any of the panels except the one in question.

Referring now to the construction as shown in Figs. 9 to 15, in whichcertain of the parts are indicated by the same reference characters asthose above designated, 52 indicates the foundation of any suitable typefor a dwelling house. Resting upon their lower ends upon the foundation52, there are a series of panels of sheet metal of the type shown inFig. 11, formed of sheet metal bent along longitudinal lines forproviding flanges arranged in box formation such as that indicated bythe numeral 47 as shown in Fig. 5. Each of such panels has its lowermargin bent at right angles to provide a base flange 53 as shown in Fig.9. Inasmuch as the panels forming the walls, the floor, the ceiling, andthe roof as shown in Figs. 9 to 12 are of the same type as those shownin Figs. 1 to 8, the corresponding parts are indicated by the samereference characters. In the assembly of the parts constituting thebuilding as shown in Fig. 9, the upright panels 31 forming the wallportions are first placed in position, being secured in position bymeans of clips 50 as above described. A form 54 is then placed inposition at the inner face of the foundation 52, after which the fioorpanels are placed in position and concrete is poured for providing anupward extension 55 for the foundation serving to hold the floor panelssecurely in position. Filling material 56 is then placed on top 'of thefloor panels, such filling material being preferably of the type knownin the trade as Insulex, which is adapted to set and harden in cellularform of comparatively small weight. After the filling material 56 hashardened sufficiently, a form 57 is placed in position along the innerface of the wall'panels and a filler 58 of any approved type is pouredbetween the form and the panels, such filler 58 being preferably of thesame type as that used in the floor but being preferably of lighterweight.

A special panelis employed at the corners for joining the wall portions,such special wall panel being shown in Fig. 12. This panel comprises astrip of sheet material bent along an intermediate line to provide anangularly formed body portion 59, each part of which in the arrangementshown is provided with an outside box arrangement 49. The inside boxarrangements 47 of the adjacent panels are secured within the boxes 49of the corner panel by means of clips 56 as above described.

As is shown in Fig. 10, the side walls support a ceiling structure 60extending thereacross, and a roof structure 61 rises in oblique positionfrom the edge of the ceiling structure, both the ceiling structure andthe roof structure being of the same form as that above described inconnection with the floor.

In the arrangement shown, a special panel 62 is employed at the upperedge of the wall having an inside box arrangement .7 on one edge andbeing bent inwardly and downwardly about the upper edge of the wall bymeans of integrally formed flange portions 63 and 64. A second specialpanel 65 is provided equipped with an outside box arrangement 49 at itsinner edge and with an inside box arrangement 4'? at its outer edge,such outside box 49 being firmly connected with the inside box 47 of thepanel 62 by means of one of the clips 50. A third special panel 66provided with an outside box 49 at its lower edge is connected with theinside box 4'? of the member 65 by means of one of the clips 50, suchmember 66 extending upwardly about the outer edge of the ceilingstructure 60, and thence inwardly along the top face of the ceiling anddiagonally upwardly and inwardly along the bottom face of the roofstructure 61. The diagonally disposed flange portion of the member 66 isconnected in any suitable manner with the lower ends-of the panels 31 ofthe roof. 7

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 13, panels 67 of sheet metal areprovided, bent along longitudinal'lines to provide inside boxes 47 andoutside boxes 49 in the manner above described in connection with theforms above described, the body portions 68 of such panels 67 beingformed of expanded metal of any approved type. Clips 50 are employed forsecuring the boxes together. Upon opposite faces of the body portions 68and extending between and within the boxes 4'1 and 49 and about theclips 50 there are provided layof means for securing a metal latharrangement such as that shown in Figs. 13 and 15 to a wall, sucharrangement being adapted for the provision of partitions in a buildinghaving outer walls of the type shown in said Fig. 14. In thisarrangement, the body portion of the wall panel is indicated by thenumeral 71, such panel having a special securing device 72 of sheetmetal secured thereto preferably by welding, such member 72 being bentalong longitudinal lines to provide an arrangement similar to thearrangement of the outside boxes of the panels as above'described.

The inside box 47 of a panel 67 isheld. in posi-.

tion within the box-like arrangement of the member 72 by means of a clipin the manner already described.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 16, by which a form is provided forconcreting a beam or column 73, .I have provided a plurality of panelsof considerably smaller width than those employed for the wall of abuilding, the panels being preferably formed of a plurality of diiierentwidths so as to enable them to be combined to advantage for providingfacing members of different widths suitable for use in connection withbeams of different sizes. In the arrangement shown, I have provided twopanels 74 and a slightly wider panel 75 for forming one side of theenclosure for receiving the concrete. Other panels 76 and 77 arearranged at right angles to the facing member comprising the panels 74and 75, such panels 76 and 77 being of any desired width, preferably ofabout the same type as panels 74 and 75. Each of the panels 74, 75, 76and 77 is provided with flanges in box-like arrangement upon both edges,in the arrangement shown each panel being provided with an inside box atone edge arranged opposite the body portion and an outside box at theopposite edge extending beyond the body portion. Each inside box ispositioned within the outside box of the ad- I jacent panel, except forthe arrangement at the corners of the enclosure, where special panels 78and 79 are provided. Each of the panels 78 and 79 is made up of anoutside box and an inside box formed integrally with each other, suchboxes of the corner panels engaging the adjacent boxes of the adjacentpanels. Clips 50 are employed serving to hold the various panels inoperative relation to each other.

In Fig. 17 I have provided an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig.16, except that a corner panel 80 of slightly different form is employedin which a slight variation is made in the width of the inside flangeportions of the boxes so as to provide for the panels 75 and 77 having aslightly overlapping relationship inlieu of the direct corner engagementas shown in Fig. 16.

Still another form of corner panel 81 is shown in Fig.18 for connectingthe panels 75 and 77 in slightly diiferent relationship. In the formshown in said Fig. 18, the special panel 81 comprises a body portion 82having an outside box 49 at one edge and an inside box 83 at theopposite edge, such inside box 83 differing from the inside boxes 47 asabove described in that said box 83 comprises only three flange portionsin angular position with respect to each other in lieu of the fourflange portions as heretofore described. The arrangement is such thatsuch inside box 83 is adapted to engage the outside box 49 of the panel77 in such manner as to be held firmly in engagement therewith by one ofthe clips 50.

In Fig. 19, I have shown the preferred form raaaaie of my improvedarrangement for concreting a horizontal beam 84, In this arrangement, across bar 85 is supported in position below the beam 84 by means of ametal strap 86 as is usual or in any other suitable manner. Upon thecross bar 85 I have provided a series of panels 87, 88 and 89 securedtogether by means of clips 59 engaging inner and outer boxes on theedges of said panels. A spacing block 90 is preferably provided beneaththe inside box 47 at the outer edge of the panel 87. Upon'the top faceof the series of panels 87, 88 and 89, I have provided panels 91 and 92at one sideand panels 93, 94 and 95 at the opposite side, such panelsengaging the oppositely disposed plies of the strap 86 at the outerfaces of the panels. The panels at each side are connected together bymeans of clips 50 engaging the inner and outer boxes thereon.

By the use of my invention, I have provided a construction in the formof metal lumber in which the means for connecting'the adjacent panelstogether comprises also the framework for supporting the panels. Byreason of my improved construction the several panels can be veryquickly and easily assembled in their cooperative relation, and whenoccasion requires one or more panels can be very quickly and easilywithdrawn for the substitution of other panels therefor. At the sametime, the parts in operative position are held very strongly in positionbraced with respect to each other for afiording great strength in thestructure as a whole.

While I prefer to employ the form of structure as shown in my'drawingsand as above described, it is to be understood that my invention is notlimited to the form shown except so far as the claims may be so limitedby the prior art.

I claim:-- 1. In a panel construction-the combination of 1 two panels ofsheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a bodyportion and a series of flange portions along one edge of the bodyportion with said flange portions arranged in effect in the form ofinterfltting boxes, and a clip fitting about the outer one of said boxesfor 120 holding said boxes firmly in engagement and serving to lock saidpanels securely against movement with respect to each other.

2.'In a panel construction, the combination of two panels of sheetmaterial each bent along longitudinal lines'for providing a body portionand a series of flange portions along one edge of the body portion withsaid flange portions arranged in eifect in the form of inter-fittingboxes, and a clip conforming to the shape of said boxes and flttedsnugly thereabout for holding the boxes firmly in engagement and servingto hold said panels securely against movement with respect to eachother. I v

3. In a panel construction, the combination of 5 two panels of sheetmaterial each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a body portionand a series of fiange portions along one edge of the body portion withsaid flange portions arranged in effect in the form of interfittingboxes, and a spring clip of sheet metal extending partially about saidboxes and serving to hold the boxes firmly in engagement for maintainingthe panels in alignment with each other and for preventing movement ofone panel transversely with respect to the other.

4. In a panel constructiomthe combination of two panels of sheetmaterial each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a body portionand a series of flange portions along one edge of the i1:

body portion with said flange portions arranged in effect in the form ofinter-fitting boxes, and a spring clip adapted to be pressed into snapengagement about said boxes for holding the boxes firmly in engagementwith each other and serving to lock the panels securely against movementwith respect to each other.

5. In a panel construction, the combination of two panels of sheetmaterial each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a body portionand a series of flange portions along one edge of the body portion withsaid flange portions arranged in efiect in the form of inter-fittingboxes, and a clip of spring steel also in the form of a box in effectadapted to be pressed into snap engagement about said boxes adapted byengagement with the several flanges of the outside box and the terminalflange of the inside box to hold the boxes firmly in engagement witheach other and serving to lock the panels securely against movement withrespect to each other.

6. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet materialbent along longitudinal lines for providing a body portion and a seriesof three flange portions along one edge providing in effect a box, asecond panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines forproviding a body portion and a series of four flange portions along oneedge providing in effect a box adapted to be fitted snugly within thebox on said. first named panel, and a clip also formed of sheet materialbent to form a box adapted to receive said first named boxes and adaptedwhen in position thereon to hold said first named boxes against movementwith respect to each other.

'2. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheetmaterial provided along one edge with a series of three flange portionseach in substantially right angular position with respect to theadjacent portions to provide in effeet a box, a second panel of sheetmaterial provided along one edge with a series of four flange portionseach in substantially right angular posi= tion with respect to theadjacent portions to provide in effect a box adapted to be fitted snuglywithin said first named box, and a clip in the form of a box and adaptedto receive said first named box and adapted when in position thereon tohold said first named boxes against movement with respect to each other.

8. In a panel construction, the combination of a series of panels (d6l8)of sheet material each provided along two opposite edges with a seriesof flange portions arranged to provide in effect a box on each of saidedges, the boxes on each alternate panel (d6) being adapted to be fittedfrom one side within the boxes on the adjacent other alternate panels(48) and the boxes on said other alternate panels (48) being adapted tobe fitted from the opposite side over the boxes on the alternate panels(46), and means fitted about each of the outer boxes for holding suchbox and the box fitted within it against movement with respect to eachother.

tion and a series of flange portions along each of its side edgesarranged in box formation with the boxes located beyond the body portionof the panel and with the front faces of the boxes entirely open.

11. A panel construction comprising in combination a series of panels ofsheet material joined together by flanges in box arrangement on theadjoining edges of the several panels, and means for supporting saidpanels comprising end frame members of sheet material having flanges' inbox arrangement inter-fitted with the adjacent box-arranged flanges onthe adjacent panels, and longitudinally extending frame bars of sheetmaterial connected with said end frame members and provided withoppositely located channel portions into which said panelsextend attheir upper and lower ends respectively, said end frame members beingprovided with lug portions also extending into said channel portions forholding the parts rigidly in position with respect to each other.

12. A panel construction comprising in combination a series of panels ofsheet material joined together by flanges in box arrangement on theadjoining edges of the several panels, means for supporting said panelscomprising end frame members of sheet material having flanges in boxarrangement inter-fitted with the adjacent boxarranged flanges on theadjacent panels, and longitudinally extending frame members of sheetmaterial connected. with said end frame members and provided withoppositely located channel portions in which said panels extend at theirupper and lower ends respectively, and spring clips pressed into snapengagement about each 'two inter-fitted fiange box arrangements forholding the panels against movement with respect to each other andagainst movement with respect to the end frame members.

13. A construction for walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, and the like,comprising in combination a series of panels of sheet material each bentalong longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions alongeach edge in the form of boxes with the boxes of each panel inter-fittedwith the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, and spring clips pressedinto snap engagement about said inter-fitted boxes for holding thepanels firmly in position with respect to each other.

14. A construction for walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, and the like;comprising in combination a series of panels of sheet material each bentalong longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions alongeach edge in the form of boxes with the boxes of each panel inter-fittedwith the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, spring clips pressedinto snap engagement about said inter-fitted-boxes for holding thepanels firmly in position with respect to each other, and a layer offilling material between and within said boxes serving to stiffenthe-structure and to I hold the boxes strongly in interengagingposition.

15. In a panel construction, the combination of 9 A panel formed of heetmaterial along a Series Of pieces of Sheet metal formed. to Servelongitudinal lines to provide a body portion and a series of four flangeportions along each of its side edges each in substantially rightangular position with respect to the adjacent portions and arranged inbox formation at one side of the panel and opposite the body portion,with the face of each box adjacent to the body portion at leastpartially open.

10. A panel formed of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines toprovide a body porof a series of pieces of sheet metal formed to serveas a plaster base each constituting the body portion ,of a panel, a.plurality of flange portions provided on each body portion along itsside edges and arranged in substantially box formation thereon with theboxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes of the adjacentpanels, the boxes being open at one side, clips fitted about saidinter-fitted boxes for holding the panels firmly in position withrespect to each other, and a layer of plaster extending over one face ofsaid body portions and into said interfltted boxes.

17. In a panel construction, the combination of a series of pieces ofexpanded sheet metal each constituting the body portion of a panel, aplurality of flange portions formed integrally with each body portionalong each side edge in substantially a box formation thereon with theboxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes of .the adjacentpanels, and spring clips pressed into snap engagement about saidinter-fitted boxes for holding the panels firmly in position withrespect to each other.

18. In a panel construction, the combination of a series of pieces ofexpanded sheet metal each constituting the body portion of a panel, aplurality of non-expanded flange portions formed integrally with eachbody portion along each side edge in substantially a box formationthereon with the boxes of each panel inter-fitted with the adjacentboxes of the adjacent panels, spring clips pressed into snap engagementabout said inter-fitted boxes for holding the panels firmly in positionwith respect to each other, and layers of plaster on opposite faces ofthe panels keyed to the body portions and to each other through theopenings in the expanded metal.

19. In a panel construction, the combination of two facings positionedat right angles to each other and each made up of a plurality of panelshaving bodyportions of sheet material with a series of flange portionsformed integrally in box formation along their side edges, 9, cornermember of sheet materialcomprising two box-like arrangements of flangesengaging the boxes of said facings respectively, and a clip also of boxformation fitting about each two inter-engaging boxes for holding saidboxes firmly in engagement with each other.

20. In a panel construction, the combination of two facings positionedat right angles to each other and each made up of a plurality of panelshaving body portions of sheet material with a series of flange portionsformed integrally in box formation along their side edges, a cornermember of sheet material comprising two box-like arrangements of flangesengaging the boxes of ,said facings respectively, and a clip of springsteel sheet also bent into the form of a box adapted to be pressed intosnap engagement about each two inter-engaging boxes for holding saidboxes firmly in engagement with each other.

\ JAMES w. SWANK.

